It had run away from the herd, and we can’t have little baby calves running away from the herd.

We just can’t.

I don’t know exactly why we can’t. I just know we can’t.

Don’t worry—the calf’s just fine. He’s just lying there for a sec while Josh unties the rope from his back legs. But I’ll tell you one thing I know: the big red mama isn’t appreciating it at all. She’s just circling Josh and her calf, pacing nervously. If she had hands, she’d be wringing them.

This has always been one of my favorite parts of ranch life: observing the strong maternal instinct of the cows. They’re so attached to their calves; a mama cow can walk into a herd of a hundred calves and within a minute or two, she’s found hers. And they worry about their calves; during the times when we have to sort them apart for an hour or two in order to give the calves some medicine, the mama cows are nervous…hovering…watching.

They’re good mamas, those cows.

Here, for instance. After he removed the rope, Josh wanted to give the calf—only a couple of days old—a little bit of a boost so he’d go take a walk with his mama and find the herd again. And as soon as Josh laid his hands on the little sucker, his mama headed straight for him.

And this is how you know how strong that maternal instinct is. Normally, you’d never catch a cow voluntarily walking over to a human like this. They’re very skittish. But in this case, the cow’s concern for her baby trumped all instinct to stay far away from that funny lookin’ dude in the weird hat.

I could tell Josh was more than a little concerned the mama cow was going to go ballistic and just run him smooth over.

It’s happened before. Sometimes the mamas get a little fierce about their babies.

Uh, yes ma’am…here’s your baby, ma’am. I just wanted to make sure your baby came back to the herd, ma’am. Okay, ma’am? Are you mad at me, ma’am? Please don’t kill me, ma’am.

She didn’t kill him.

She and her baby just walked away.

And Josh returned to his horse, grateful he was still walking.

Are you okay, sweetie schookums pookie pie?

MOM! You’re EMBARRASSING me!

I’m sorry, honey. Can I get you anything?

Can I get you some milk?

How are you feeling right now, sweetie? Was it scary? Are you okay? Mama’s here now. Can I get you some milk?

Shellrunner from IN On Tuesday, April 6 at 4:33 am

Nicky On Tuesday, April 6 at 4:36 am

LesleyJo On Tuesday, April 6 at 4:41 am

They’re so very sweet. Is it bad that I want a cow as a pet? Aside from the fact that I live in an apartment in the middle of town with absolutely no yard or space…

6

CAREYH214 On Tuesday, April 6 at 4:44 am

Wow, Josh. I’m grateful you’re still walking, too! Thank good she didn’t seem to have mayhem in her eyes (or hooves).
Looks like your grass is in really good shape. Been watching lots of fires to the east from our house as the ranchers do their controlled burns. Your cowboys up for that?
Thanks for sharing your family and livelihoods with all of us.

7

Alma On Tuesday, April 6 at 4:51 am

Cute, when the cows are in my neighbors field behind our house our labrador will sit at the back fence and stare in at them all day. I wonder do they have little conversations?

8

Sue Ellen On Tuesday, April 6 at 4:53 am

Ree–it WAS a sweet story! Just what I needed to start my day with a smile!
You do that often for me, thanks SES

Tracy On Tuesday, April 6 at 5:31 am

I really need to take a ride out west… find me a real cowboy.. there’s gotta be some my age that haven’t kicked the bucket yet

That was a nice post – made me smile cuz you KNOW every word of it is EXACTLY what the cows (and Josh – that pic is priceless) were thinkin’ *grin*

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dew On Tuesday, April 6 at 5:35 am

Hahahaha! oohh, Mrs. Drummond, from your stories i can feel the love you have to your family (incl. Charlie, etc.), your ranch, your horses, your cows. thanks for sharing those with us. you put smile to our lives…
with love,
dew

22

Connie On Tuesday, April 6 at 5:35 am

It cracks me up how you sympathize with the cows. You must have had some major breastfeeding issues! I think all of us mamas can sympathize with her being concerned for her baby. Sweet story Ree

Since I have always and most likely will always live in the burbs I love this. My 14 year old is joining FFA even though that second F will most likely never happen. But what else is an animal lover to do when she needs an animal fix? She gets to raise an animal and I’m just praying it’s a cow. I have crazy fantasies of making my own butter and cheese.

I remember reading an article about checking cows for mastitits and my boobs hurt just thinking about that (I’ve had mastitis nine times. Do I get a prize or something?) I have felt a great kinship with cows ever since then.

Robin On Tuesday, April 6 at 7:11 am

*dies* Oh my gosh…poor Josh! That picture with him practically throwing the calf at her had me ROFL. XD

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Sonja Nelson On Tuesday, April 6 at 7:20 am

seriously cute calf…oh being engorged…know that feeling momma cow

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hana On Tuesday, April 6 at 7:20 am

Here in the City of Angels, I am happy to wake up this morning and find this post! Now I have to add being able to gently yet firmly dealing with a calf while communicating well with its mama as part of my criteria for that special man.

neisha On Tuesday, April 6 at 7:30 am

Great pictures of the action. Worried mama cows always make my hiney cringe when they’re headed my way. I hate that feeling of wondering if they’re going to take you out because you even so much as looked at their baby cross eyed! Glad Josh came out unscathed.